Evaluation of grout penetration in single rock fracture using electrical resistivity

In this study, a new approach using electrical resistivity measurement was proposed to detect grout penetration and to evaluate the grouting performance for such as waterproof efficiency in single rock fracture. For this purpose, an electrical resistivity monitoring system was designed to collect multi-channel data in real time. This was applied to a system for grout injection/penetration using a transparent fracture replica with various aperture sizes and water-cement mix ratio. The electrical resistivity was measured under various grout penetration conditions in real time, which results were directly compared to the visual observation images of grout penetration/distribution. Moreover, the grouting success status after the curing process was evaluated by measuring the electrical resistivity in relation to changes in frequency in fracture cells where grout injection and penetration were completed. Consequently, it was determined that the electrical resistivity monitoring system could be applied effectively to the detection of successful penetration of grouting into a target area and to actual field evaluation of the grouting performance and long-term stability of underground rock structures.